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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Thousands risk all for mortgages | Thousands risk all for mortgages |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of thousands of people are failing to maintain mortgage payments and risk losing their homes, according to a national charity. | Hundreds of thousands of people are failing to maintain mortgage payments and risk losing their homes, according to a national charity. |
| Some 770,000 people have missed one or more repayments in the past year, a Citizens Advice survey suggests. | Some 770,000 people have missed one or more repayments in the past year, a Citizens Advice survey suggests. |
| More than one in 10 of the 2,057 adults surveyed wrongly believed missed repayments did not threaten their home. | More than one in 10 of the 2,057 adults surveyed wrongly believed missed repayments did not threaten their home. |
| The charity said people, particularly the young, needed to be more aware of the financial commitment of a mortgage. | The charity said people, particularly the young, needed to be more aware of the financial commitment of a mortgage. |
| There is a clear need for more information and advice David HarkerCitizens Advice href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/business/debtcheck/html/index.stm" class="">Take our Debt Test | |
| David Harker, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: "We are very concerned about the numbers of people who are missing payments. | David Harker, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: "We are very concerned about the numbers of people who are missing payments. |
| "Missing payments on mortgages or secured loans could lead to arrears and possibly repossession. | "Missing payments on mortgages or secured loans could lead to arrears and possibly repossession. |
| "There is a clear need for more information and advice about the consequences of taking on financial commitments, particularly for younger adults." | "There is a clear need for more information and advice about the consequences of taking on financial commitments, particularly for younger adults." |
| Younger people are most likely to fall behind with their financial commitments, according to the survey. | Younger people are most likely to fall behind with their financial commitments, according to the survey. |
| Over-borrowing | Over-borrowing |
| It also found that 11% of all those surveyed wrongly believed a secured loan meant they could miss repayments but their home would still be safe. | It also found that 11% of all those surveyed wrongly believed a secured loan meant they could miss repayments but their home would still be safe. |
| A further 10% of people thought it was a loan where borrowers could pay back as little or as much as they want each month. | A further 10% of people thought it was a loan where borrowers could pay back as little or as much as they want each month. |
| The survey suggests two million people fear they cannot keep up with their monthly payments. | The survey suggests two million people fear they cannot keep up with their monthly payments. |
| Last year the charity helped to deal with 1.25 million debt problems and received 51,000 enquiries about mortgage and secured loan arrears. | Last year the charity helped to deal with 1.25 million debt problems and received 51,000 enquiries about mortgage and secured loan arrears. |
| Mr Harker added: "If people are considering becoming homeowners they need to understand clearly what they are taking on. | Mr Harker added: "If people are considering becoming homeowners they need to understand clearly what they are taking on. |
| "We don't want people to borrow far more than they can afford." | "We don't want people to borrow far more than they can afford." |
| People having difficulty meeting their mortgage repayments should let their lender know, and borrowing more money to cover debts should be avoided, said the charity. | People having difficulty meeting their mortgage repayments should let their lender know, and borrowing more money to cover debts should be avoided, said the charity. |
| Have you been affected by any of the issues in this story? You can contact us using the form below: | Have you been affected by any of the issues in this story? You can contact us using the form below: |